MENTAL MUTHA MEETS LINZ RIDING

When I feel overwhelmed, my go to self help tool is something that Mary actually taught me which is to Reframe Reframe Reframe!

(After I've initially come out of hiding and faking everything is fine of course!)

Do you discuss your mental health with your mum mates?

I do attempt to discuss mental health with mum mates, but as I've only just recently acquired them through my son starting school 6 months ago, I am also deeply worried about being judged, as being able to 'fit in' at school is one of my current anxieties...

There is one mum though and we are pretty like minded

(Jody - @lovelifeandlittlefeet) so I am gradually opening up

How do you tackle mental health chats with your kid’s?

Mental health chats with my kids. Hmm. Thats tricky as I have a five year old boy who is very sensitive but also a bit nuts! I am channelling his emotional intelligence as he has natural born empathy and I feel like I need to cultivate that! I also have a 1.5 year old daughter, and she is a right little character! She loves the bones off of me, and everyone says how much she looks like me, in fact, it was being with her that started me off today, we were listening to lullabies on Alexa, when she just grabbed me so hard for a cuddle and said 'ahhhh' & it dawned on me, like some sort of epiphany, that she really really LOVES me! I must be doing something right then hey??!

Who helps you in the dark? (In your pits, your mental rock bottom - who is your hero?)

I tend to turn to my online community, im too scared to ask for help as I dont want to worry anyone...just today ive joined Marys Badass group cos I just thought, I've had enough of trying to be strong on my own!

What helps you in the light? (Meditation? Procrastination? Perspiration? People?)

Helps me in the light - My insta-pirational people are @keepingmummighty @survivingmotherhood and @suzyreading

Is it hard to talk about your mental health? (Doesn't mean on Instagram necessarily, but do you feel the stigma is lifting and do you feel safe to speak your mind, even if it is possibly ‘mental'?)

I find it easier to talk about Mental Health using my Insta accounts than I do in real life..its the judgement im avoiding! I had one Insta account when I started but I kept getting comments from family and friends so I have started more up, now I have 3, one for Linz life/kid stuff @linzisms one called @strongermind_org which is things ive found helpful and which I would like to have as a business one day (somehow) and the latest one @strongermummy is just me..but incognito - my husband doesnt even know about it! Thats where I am most open....and myself...

I find it easier to talk about Mental Health using my Insta accounts than I do in real life...its the judgement im avoiding! I had one Insta account when I started but I kept getting comments from family and friends so I now I have 3. My husband doesnt even know about it!

— Linz

Where’s your head at?

So my head is a jungle as you can probably gather, but I am happy that I can dig myself out of a hole, and my insta accounts give me a creative outlet to do so without being judged, one day I want to be like 'yeh this is me, this is what I do and care about, and what!!!?' One day.....! lol x